Breastfeeding is often best for both babies and mothers because it is natural, healthy, convenient and cost free.

When moms breastfeed their babies, they don’t have to worry about heating or cooling milk to the right temperature, or cleaning and carrying bottles and nipples around. Breastfeeding also helps women to lose extra weight after pregnancy, strengthen their bones, and lower their chances of getting breast and ovarian cancers later in life.

Breast milk is great for babies because it has everything they need in it to grow up strong and healthy. It also protects them from getting many childhood illnesses and diseases. For example, breastfed babies don’t get sick with coughs and colds, vomiting and diarrhea, ear infections, allergies or asthma as often as babies do that are not breastfed. Breastfeeding also protects babies from getting childhood diabetes, cancer and meningitis. Breastfeeding is also thought to protect babies from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and heart and liver disease in adulthood.

Although breastfeeding is considered the best thing for most babies and mothers, some women may find it too difficult, painful and stressful to deal with. In cases like this, other healthy ways to feed babies can be used.